In line with the Council of Europe’s unwavering commitment to securing accountability for crimes committed during  Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) focuses on ensuring that justice efforts protect and empower Ukrainian children. This includes prioritising safe, child-friendly and trauma-sensitive interviewing practices aimed at gathering the most reliable information possible from children.

To this end, on 19 February 2026, the CGU organised a specialised online lecture on evidence-based interviewing techniques of children, attracting over 220 participants from relevant Ukrainian entities and services Council of Europe monitoring bodies, and member states. Professor Martine Powell, psychologist, leading international expert and Founding Director of the Centre for Investigative Interviewing, led the session on evidence-based, child-focused interviewing methods.

Key takeaways for professionals:

• Goal of the investigative interview: Eliciting accurate and detailed information to assist decision making.
• Facilitating voice: Enabling children to accurately describe their own experiences and perceptions.
• Understanding vulnerability: Recognising that cognitive and language limitations, lower authority and cultural differences increase risk of miscommunication.
• Power of open questions: Using nonleading open-ended questions to elicit the most accurate information and encourage the interviewee to play an active role in the process.
• Risk of questions that request specific information: While facilitating easier retrieval, they increase the risk of errors.
• Accuracy gauge: There is no "Pinocchio test" for truth; reliability depends on professionalism of information-gathering methods

Professor Powell’s session provided participants with practical, narrative-based frameworks to navigate complex trauma-related cases. The tools and techniques discussed were particularly useful for Ukrainian frontline professionals working most closely with Ukrainian child victims.

 Further resources and research: Explore more evidence-based tools and training at the Centre for Investigative Interviewing